Just got my new Spyderco Chinook...

The Bear

The Bear

Joined
Nov 23, 2001
Messages
162
I’ve just got my new Spyderco Chinook. I bought it from knifecenter.com and the knife is exactly what I was looking for, a sturdy heavy-duty folder. But there is something I have to complain about: the lock system doesn’t fix the blade in the handle firmly and when the knife is open the blade slightly moves in the folding direction.
This is my 7th Spyderco knife and it’s the first time I find such a problem, but it’s also the first time I buy a folder on the web, without checking it in advance: does it have to be the last one as well!
I don’t know if I have to be disappointed about Spyderco, about the web-purchase system, or if I simply have to consider this one as an unlucky case!
What do you think about that?
 
You got a bad apple, man. I have handled these before and they have the strongest lockback I have ever seen. I don't trust lockbacks at all, but I want one of these. If at all possible, send it to Spyderco and they will replace it.
 
If you slightly tighten the blade pivot screw it may help with the movement. According to Spyderco there is almost always slight movement in the Chinook when locked since the cut out notch is so deep( to make the lock so strong) I also have one and do like it a great deal.
 
>"I don't trust lockbacks at all, but ..."

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Gee, you must have tremendous confidence in your knife-handling abilities. :rolleyes: What's the old saying? Oh yeah, folding knives don't cut people, people who shouldn't be messing with folding knives cut people.
 
In the chinook, there is a very slight amount of vertical play between the handle and blade. Its just the way it was designed. You can feel the play, but cant see it. Is this what you are refering too? If that's what you don't like about the knife send it back, not in for repairs. Side to side play can be adjusted out by tightening the pivot. A lock back with as deep a notch as the chinook has just has a tiny amount of vertical play that is inevitable. You will not find a stronger lockback anywhere.
 
I just don't like the fact that under white knucle conditions, your grip can release the locking mechanism. I prefer a subdued liner lock like the AFCK.
 
I would agree with some of the other post, you must have a bad one that slipped by inspection. I have had my Chinook about 6 months, and it is hands down the finest folder I have EVER had. Not even the slightest blade play at all.
 
I have a Chinook, and I have noticed no play when it is locked open. The blade will scrape lightly against one of the liners as it is being opened, however, depending on how hard I press against the opening hole.
 
Mine has the exact same thing... but it's so subtle I don't really consider it to be a problem.
Enjoy your new Chinook!
 
If you can't see the blade moving but can only feel it your knife is normal. Definately check the pivot bolt's tightness, my Chinook works loose every few days ( I just need to lock-tite it).

S_S,
You won't be able to cause a white-knuckle failure with the Chinook, trust me. An upside-down saber grip might cause one but that's a grip I don't use. I carried an AFCK everyday for 7 years and I trust the Chinook WAY more than it. Liner locks just aren't reliable enough. :(
 
One of these days, I'll just have to buy one.
 
I don’t know if my Chinook is normal. When the knife is open, and I move the blade up and down in the folding direction, I can see, just under the thumb notches, a little space between the blade and the lock (about 0.2-0.3 mm).
I’ll try to tighten the pivot but it’s not so easy because of the European tool measures (2.0 mm is too little, 2.5 mm is too large). Anyway, I’ll find the way to solve the problem!
I want to thank you all for your opinions and suggestions.
Bye
 
Yes Bear, you are correct. The pivot bolt is a 3/32" Allen bolt. Maybe you can file down the sides of a cheap 2.5 mm wrench?

Here in America we have easy access to both American and Metric sized tools but it also means that we have to buy 2 sets of every kind of tool :rolleyes: My wife's car has some parts on it with both SAE and Metric hardware side-by-side :mad:
 
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